Romania forms training centre for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets

Romania is preparing the necessary infrastructure to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

Source: Ukrinform, citing Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, commenting on the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets in Romania during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "A pilot training centre is being formed in Romania. Its formation requires a base, flight simulators, aircraft trainers, and F-16 combat training aircraft, i.e. two-seaters, which will be part of this centre.

The partners consistently provide this country with these assets and set up all the necessary infrastructure."

Details: Ihnat noted that Ukraine, as a future member of the Alliance, will also need to launch training centres for pilots on its territory.

"Ukraine will obviously also have such centres, perhaps not just one but several, where training will be provided. The fact that they provide aircraft... the most important part of the training is piloting, and to master a fighter jet, you must fly with an instructor. Our partners have begun to supply these aircraft so that Ukrainian military personnel trained in the US and Europe can eventually train there (in Romania – ed.)," the spokesman said.

The spokesman also noted that the process of education and training of pilots is always ongoing.

"This process is continuous. Pilots are constantly training; there is no such thing as a pilot who has been trained for five years and is done. This process continues daily, even in peacetime; flight shifts last almost five times weekly.

Here in Ukraine, we will also need to develop this area for the new aircraft type," Ihnat said.

Previously: The Dutch Defence Ministry reported that five Dutch F-16 fighter jets are currently on their way to the European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) in Romania.

Background: In late October, the United States confirmed the start of Ukrainian flight training on F-16s.

The Pentagon said the training of Ukrainian pilots on US F-16 fighters could take five months or longer, depending on the speed of progress.

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